Special session has local school districts on edge

As the state Legislature prepares to convene for a special session in hopes of hashing out a health care compromise — and passing a balanced budget — school districts across the state are in a budget limbo.

Districts rely on local taxes and state allocations to function. But without a finalized state budget, school financial officers do not know how much state money will trickle down to their agencies.

Manatee County gets about 61 percent of its funding from the state. In Sarasota County, which charges more property taxes for its schools, 20 percent of its budget comes from the state.

If lawmakers can find no common ground by June 30, the Florida Department of Education will no longer be able to pay school districts the monthly stipends they rely on.